Fiber-treating machine.



Cl F. LOGAN.

FIBER TREATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION HLED DEC.4. 1914.

Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

15 SHEEYS-SHEU l.

i w w 4 C. F. LOGAN. FIBER TREATING MAGHkNE.

Wijnesgsea: CL 5&1 /n11 latPntQd Aug. 28, 1917.

I 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

C- F. LOGAN FIBER TREATWG MACHINE APPLICATION mm M04, 2914.

I n veng'or:

Ella 9am, B

- Cyrus C. F. LU'GAN.

FIBER TREATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION men 0:04.191

1,238,310. Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

15 SHEETS SHEET 4.

7 3; i l I Ilia Wi neasea: Inventor.-

C. F. LOGAN.

HBER TREATING MACl-HNE.

APPLICATION FILED 0:0.4, mu.

1 ,238, 3 1 O. Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

15 SHEETS--SHEET 5.

1' t eye-e5.- In ven tor.-

C. F. LOGAN.

FIBER TREATING MACHINE APPLlCATiUN FILED DECA, 1914 1 ,238, 3 1 0.Patented Aug. 28, 191?.

15 SHELTSWSHKEI 6.

Wit eases.- j R Inventor: 6 rw sFLa oan.

Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

15 SHEETS-SHEET I.

F lo

C. F. LOGAN. FIBER TREATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DC.4,19)4. 1,238,310.

,' esse. Q0 7:

C. F. LOGAN.

FIBER TREATiNG MACHINE. APPLICATION men 050.4. 1914 Patented Aug. 28,1917.

15 SHEETS "SHEU H In 00 1e 1! 0/".-

TL 7662?, j 4 MAM- C. F.' LQGAN. FIBER mums MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-4. 19H. Patented Aug. 28

K212125595: In ve rim i2):

C. F. LOGAN. FiBER TREATING MACHINE.

APPLICAHON FILED DNA, 1514.

I5 SHEETS-SHEET I I.

Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

MwN

Invent or": rug FtLa a'rz,

C. F. LOGAN.

HEER TREATNG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED nan-@1914. 1,238,310. Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

i5 SHEETS SHEET 12- WZ/trzefigieg: In ventor C: 1/ ({yrug IiLojetrt;

Byhisfl-tz' I C. F. LOGAN.

FIBER TREA'HNG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DECA, I934 1 ,238, 3 1 0. Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

15 SHEETS-SHET I3 Inventor? (J rwaifLa am,

C. F. LOGAN.

FIBER mums MACHINE.

Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

4 m 4 rm E D D E L H N 0 .n A C U P DI A O 1 3 Q, 8 3 2 I 1 X5SHEETSSHLET 15.

I Jr w w 5 Wvt'rzegges for thereby rovidin UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CYRUS F. LOGAN, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOB TO FIBERPRODUCTS CORPORATION,

A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

FIBER-TREATING MACHINE.

Specification oi Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

Application flied December 4, 1914. Serial No. 875,454.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CYRUS F. LOGAN, a citizen of the United States,residing in city of Washington, in the District of Columbia, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Fiber-Treating Machines,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates decorticating or fiber-treating machines for thereduction of long-fiber plants, such, for instance, as certain grasses,hemp, abaca and sisal, and also the more pulpy kinds oi leaves andpetioles such as found, for in stance, in the banana and many othertropical and fiber-yielding plants.

A principal object of the invention is to provide an improved machine ofthat class, and one arranged for treating the plants by means ofdecorticating or reduction appliances which will operate progressivelyalong the length of the plants, and which can also be arranged andadjusted for subjecting the plant-material to successive treatments 0varying kinds and graduated intensities.

A further object is to furnish such an. im proved machine having aplant-conveyor ar ranged for running in a circuit. or path of travel,and having mechanisni-stations located at intervals along such circuit,and at which plant-treating mechanisms are located', also to providesuch mechanisms each having one or more plant-treating sets each ofwhich comprises a enacting pair oi inembersarrangcd for cooperation withthe ion veyer and with the plant-holding moans, thereof. A

For effecting these objects, and also for eflectin other objects whichare hereinafter set fort I have devised a decor-floating ma chine of theclass described, and in which a series of the plant-treating sets arearranged along the path of travel of a plant conveyor which, atintervals along the. length thereof, is provided with plant-holding dcvices and, adjacent thereto, is also provided. with mechanism-openersarranged for temporarily separating the members of said sets apassageway through which the p ant-holding devices may pass.

The accompanying drawings illustrate my resent invention as embodiedinan organized s stem of mechanism and arranged in accor ance with a'-preferred construction thereof.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine,

more especially to for illustrating one suitable arrangement of aframework, and for briefly indicating, chiefly in a die rammaticmanner,-the system or mode 0 arranging the various component devices andmechanisms into a complete machine; in this view certain mechanismstations are indicated at positions S and S, as hereinafter more fullyexplained.

Fig. 2 is a plan view illustrative of the articular arrangement ofmechanism as shown in Fig. 1, but with some parts broken away, and withvarious details omitted, this being done in view of the extremely smallscale to which Figs. 1 and 2 are necessarily drawn, as compared with theusual size of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a sectional left-hand portion of Fig. 1 on an enlarged scale,and is also illustrative of certain changes which may be made in thecompo nent members of the mechanisms located at the said mechanismstations, and particularly at the station S in this View, as in Figs. 1and 2, some details are merely indicated, or only diagrammaticallyrepresented, being more fully shown in Fig. 4 is an enlarged side-viewsimilar to the right-hand portion of Fig. l but drawn on an enlargedscale, and illustrates certain details in a manner corresponding to theillustrations in Fig. 3.

Fig. 4- is a Fragmentol front end elevation.

1 t i-,5+ .r-;uli (ii-w ink-110D line 's 3 and as urriaie details whichairlulfllril at the right-hand. oi. Said and arranged for brush-treatingthe plant-- material from the upper side thereof; Fig. 6 is drawn inalinement with Fig. 5, and is a View looking in the same direction as inFigs. 1, 3 and 4, while Fig. 7 is drawn in side-view showing the psubsequent views. 4

4 is a sectional plan view taken on 1 ing the parts illustrate 6,;4id isa view showin Figs. 5 and 6 as seen from'the rightml in those views.

"Fi 8 is a longit dine] and vertical sec tiona view similar to Fig. 6,but showin the plant-treating set of the modified form Indicated atstations S and S, (Fi 3 and 4), and also as arranged when use inmultiple at a. single such station, for the brush-treat-. ment of theplant-material from the under side thereof.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view taken on a line transversely of themachine, and illus trates certain adjusting and operating de vices inconnection with a plant-treating set of the arrangement shown as seenfrom the lcft handthereof.

Fig. 9 and Fig. 9 are detail views illustrative of certain portions ofthe mechanism shown in Figs 7 and 8, as hereinafter explained.

Fig. I is a fragmentary plan view of the forwardside portion of aplant-treating set of the arrangement shown in F igs. 5, 6 and 7,-and atsaid stations S S S ,-and illustrates how a brush-cleanin or dofl'ermechanism, and doifercleaning i evices may be arranged for cooperationwith the brushmember of the set, and also with a debriscollecting andremoving apparatus, this view, Fig. 1.0, may be regarded as showing oneend of the same brush-member, B, of which the opposite end is shown inFig. 5. Fi 11 is a side,-or front-side, elevation of tfie mechanismwhich is illustrated in Fig. 10, and shows the parts as seen from belowin Fig. 10; some parts, however, are omitted while others are shownbroken away, for more clearly exhibiting certain de- Blinement withtails.

Fig. 11" and Fig. 11 are detail views illustratlve of certain featuresof a brushcleaning dofl'er device in the preferred form thereof shown inFigs. 10 and 11, and also indicated at stations S and S in Figs. 3 and4., respectively.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary View taken vertically and transversely of themachine, for showing in a side-view, one of the presserrolls,-als0 oneof the collecting troughs ad- ]acent thereto,as seen from the right-handIn Figs. 10 and 11.

Fig. 13 is a view, on an enlarged scale, of the roll-mechanism shown atstation S in Fig. 3, and as seen in the direction of the arrow 1'' insaid figure; only about one-half of the length of the rolls are hereshown, it being understood (following a conventional E'actice) that theportion not shown will or may be, of the same form and arrangement,-fter the principle indicated as to the roll and the details appurtenantthereto, as illustrated in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a view showing the parts illustrated in Fig. 13, as seen fromthe rightm Fig. 8, andhand in Fig. 18, and looking inhe some directionas at said station S ,;in Flg. 3.

Fig. 15 is a perspeetiveview of a hankbar or carrier, together with.mechanism, openers arranged one at each end of the-,-

and with hank-clamping means also arranged as an appurtenant of thehank-bar member, or carrier-member, which, as a whole, is des1gnated'byH.

Figs. 15 to 15", are a series of detail views relating to certainfeatures of the ,hank carrying member shown in Fig. 15, and arehereinafter more fully explained. i

Fig. 16 is a side view, partially in section and with some partsomitted, of an improved revolving brush, which is shown in a preferredform and construction thereof deemed to be especially suitable for useas the brush-member in such of the lanttreating sets as comprise a brushmem er. 35

1s a perspective view of the brush Fig. 16, for more fully and clearlycertain features and details thereof, including the arrangement of thebrush-elements into tufting rows.

Fig. 17 is a detail view showing (in perspective, as in Fig. 17) abrush-element as prepared for being applicd,-with others similarthcrcto,---to the periphery of the brush-cylinder, and to be applied ina mannor to form the tufting rows 6, b,--see also Fig. 2].

Fig. 18 is a view supplemental to Fig. 6, for more clearly illustratingthe operation of certain means and details which may be used inconnection with the top-brushing Fig. 17 shown face, and so requireelevating in order to pass over the brushing-beds.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of one of a series of brush-beds D, havingan improved co :truction especially adapted for coacting,--in atwo-member plant-treating set,- with a revolving brush, for strandingand guiding the material, and also, at the same time, tufting thebrush-rows.

' of the brush- 1g. 20 is a cross-section bed, taken in a directionlongitudinally of exhibiting certhe machine, for tain details in thereofwhich is provided with stranding blades removably fixed in the bed.

Fig. 21 shows a partial transverse section of the bed D, taken in lineX, F' 20 and also illustrates certain features 0 the cooperativerelations of the brush B with the brush-bed and thestranding-and-tufting blades thereof. i

Fig. 21 is a side view of the removablyfixed stranding-blade shown inFigs. 19 and 20.

Fig. 21 is a view similar to Fig. showm a modification of the brush-bedin which he strandingblades are made interal with the blade-carryingplate or brush- 111 bed.

d ig. is a i'ragmeulal perspective of a modified form of brush-bed,prelerably to be used at station S.

Fig. 23 is a erosssertioir o'l' the modifi ation shown in Fig.

Fig. is a frapmeutal plan with parts removed showing a portion of Theconveyor.

1() Similar characters designate like parts in all. the views.

Tn the particular Form and arrangement of my present improvements whichis illus trated in the drawings. the machine is pro- 5 vidcd withframework and driving mechanism arranged and equipped foroperatively-supporting and actuating a conveyor which moves in a circuitextending from theforward end (at left-hand in Fig. l) to the 2 rearwardend (at right-hand in Fig. 1) of the machine. The conveyor circuit is soarranged that the path-ot-travel of the conveyer comprises several runs,each extending from one to another of a. series of conveyer-guidingwheels, (Fig. ll, and along one or more of these conveyor runs are aseries of mechanism stations. S, which in the presen instance, arelocated two of them at S, and S on the first run of the conveyor, so(Figs. 1 and 3), while five of, them, S to S, inclusive, are located onthe second, or upper and principal run of the eonveyer. At each of saidstations, S, a plant-treating mechanism is located, and each of thesemechanisms comprises or may comprise one or more plant-treating sets;these sets are herein indicated by T, and are arranged in a.coijperative relation to the conveyor and also to other portions of theoperating mechanism of the machine.

In. practice, the machine may be arranged or extended for receiving anyrequired number (either less or more than herein shown) of the stationsS along the said upper run oi the conveyer. In the present instance, allof said plant-treating sets, from station S to station S", inclusive,are indicated as be ing of substantially the same character, but thisfeature of sameness is not essential. In

some instances, if desired, the sets '1 may be of different kinds, andmay be arranged for subjecting the plant materials to successivetreatments of= different kinds, respectively,

or to similar treatments applied in different ways and with varyingintensities this latter method being the one selected for illustrationherein.

Any single planttreating set is here in designated,-individually andwithout choice,-by T; that is, when a set T is considered as anindividual set and without regard to the particular location thereof inthe series of sets: and likewise any lurality thereof is similarlyreferred to as sets T",

55 or plant-treating sets T. For convenience which I have.

in referring to the locations of successive sets,-Whether or not theindividual sets are duplicates in arran ement or construction, thesesets are furt er distinguished by exponents corresponding to those usedin designating the several mechanism stations, respectivel Thus thefirst set T located at station is designated individually and withreference to location by T; and the second set T located at the samestation, is 76 similarl designated as set T". Following this no ntion,the several sets T which are located at station S may be designated assets T while those at station S are sets 'l,an d so on throughout theseries. 80

With theseexplanations, it will now be understood that in this notationand mode of referring to individual and plural members of any series ofsimilar members, the respective reference characters may be used andunderstood either with or without their exponents, accordingly as thedesignation of such member or members is made without choice, or whetherit has reference, also, to a particular location, or to another specialrelation or feature. The principles and mode of reference here brieflystated,is herein extended (without a special or further explanation asto each such instance) to several series of members comprised in themachine, including among others, the brushes B, bruslrbeds l), strandingblades (1, pressenrolls R, hank-bar members H, and to various otherparts and details, as will be readily noted from time to time in thecourse of the description hereinafter given in relation thereto.

For the plant-treating sets T. and for use at a majority of the stationsS, I prefer a two-member construction. in which the set will comprise,asone principal member thereof,-a brush-bed, as I), over which theplant-material will be drawn by the conveyer, and will also comprise,-asthe other principal 1neml1er tl1ereof,--a revolving brush, as 13,arranged for acting upon one side of the material while this issupported by said bed I). At the stations S, S, S", the plant-treatingsets. 1, are shown with the brush members, B, thereof located above thepath of travel of the hanks of material to be treated, while at stationsS*, S, said sets are reversed, or inverted, and the brush member B islocated below said path of travel. I 120 As already briefly indicated,the planttreating mechanisms may comprise adiff ferent number of sets atdifferent stations, respectively. 'For instancc,'in Figs. 1 and 3, themechanism S is shown as comprising two sets, T and T thep'samearrangement is also indicated at station SfiFig. 1. At stations S, 'S,U, however, each said mechanism is shown comprising only one set, Fig.'6 showing a viewco'rrespondmg tothe arrangement of station 8'; thesemechshown extended to formthe sides 22, 23, of anisms, however, may bearranged each with the hank-trough K. a pluralit of the sets T" shouldoccasion Between the San! side-walls, and ad aeeut require. 11 Fig. 8,such a plurality (cone to the lower edges thereof, a floor structureprlsing two sets,) is shown arranged in an is arranged for carrying theconveyor chains 70 inverted manner; this arrangement may .C, C, and thebelt-form traveling bed F. be used, if desired, at station S or S, or;Guiding means such as gu1de-ra1ls 24, 25, both. Y are also secured tothe inner sides of the On account of the desirability of makingsidewalls 20, 21, respectively, for coacting the machine of light-weightso that it may with rollers, as 26, 27, carried on the hank- 5 be morereadily transported, and also to sebarmember H, see Figs. 5, 6, and'15.;. cure economy of construction with relatively Throughout themachine, the framework small frame-members, I have herein showncomponents and, in general, the varions dei the machine as beingassembled on a frametells afiixed thereto, or directly or 15 work whichis so designed that it may be carried-thereby, may be said to be symmetilcom osed almost entirely of ordinary struccally arranged, those on oneside correspondtural steel. By this means the liability of mg with thoseon the other side, after the breakage is reduced to a minimum, whileusual manner of "rights and lefts. the several posts and other similarmembers l As one convenient means for en plem'ent- 20 may be of suchsmall section as to give :1. mg and sonnectlng said side-wal 20, 21,high degree of accessibility to the appawith the supporting postmembers, and wlth ratuses within the framework. These feathe floorstructure, I have shown the frametures will beevident from the sideview, work provided with two top-rails, as 28, 29, Fig. l, in connectionwith such other views each of which mag be of angle-section and 25 asshow portions of the framework. applied with one ange horizonal and theA series of posts, or uprights, (designated other flangevertical,disposed to crime. seat, in a general way and without choice,as in Fig. 7, against which the side-wall 20, posts P) are shownarranged in pairs and maybe removably fixed by screws 30, located in twoseries along the frame; the series on at suitable intervals along thetop-rail. A

30 one side (toward the observer in Fig. 1) .series of cross-beams as31, are shown ,SUP- are designated by P, P, etc, while the ported bysome suitable clips or attachments, opposite series are designated by PP P, as 32, (Figs. 6 and 7), from said top '-rails. etc. At their lowerends the posts P are Supported on the cross-beams, are two-05h securedto a pair of sills 1 1 which prefveyer guides, G G ocated respectivelyas erably are strongly connected together by near the sides of themachine. Tnthe prescross-bars, as U, Fig. 4 or in other suitable entinstance, these guides or trackq'ails are and convenient manner. On theposts P, each shown comprising an inner chain-guide several horizontalbeams are shown aflixed g, and an outer chain-guide 1; betweenand inpositions proper for supporting the vaupon those guides theconveyor-chains C, C, i 40 rious shafts and other details in any reareshown supported and guided throughout 195 uired locations. It will, ofcourse, be 1111- the upper run ofthe conve er. A spaeebeerstood that asusual in similar machinetween the chain-guides g'fg, igs. 7 and 9),framing, the iirame members may be secured provides room for thedepending draft-arms, by riveting, or may be removably connected orhooks 34, 35, of the hank-bar member H,

45 together by suitable bolts and screws, in a and also revents theaccumulation in the well-known manner. chain-gui ing channel, of anundue amount For carrying the several plant-treating of dirt or plantdebris.

mechanisms, and the sets of coactin devices The cross-beams 31 alsoserve to su port comprised therein, I have selected or illus- (directlyor indirectly) a table or plat arm,

60 tration herein, a top-frame so designed as as 36, located midway ofthe width of theme to Support the principal series of the bearmachineand between the said conveyor ings and guides, and their relateddetails, guides. -In the present instance, however, I upon a pair ofvertically-disposed side-walls have shown said table member supported byas 20, 21, consisting of relatively thin the edges thereof resting onthe inner edges 55 plates,preferably of structural steelof the innerchain-guides g, g, (see Figs. 7

which are or ma be, provided at various and 13), and at various placesin the length olnts thereon, th openings and attached thereof, openingsare made in said ta le evices for removablyholdmg in. place the throu hwhich the respective operating devarious operative devices. Saidside-Walls vices ocated below the table may operate on so 20, 21 areshown supported by the said two the hanks of material as these are drawnseries of posts, respectively, and. as being along over the table. Thesearrangements entended atone end (at the left-hand in are shown in Figs.3 and ,4, where openi Figs. 1 and 8) forcai'rying the mechanisms areshown for the belt-wheels 37, 38, 39. 40,; at stations 8, S; and, at theright-hand 41 and 42, and for the revolving brushes 05 end (see Figs.and it) said-sidewalls are and B, while the table leiigths 43, 44 and339 45, constitute supporting platforms for the respective runs 1*, land F of the traveb ing belt-lied l This arranmrment provides the shorttables ll l-T. for this n rolls R 14', respectively, at station ,Fig.3), and also pn'nidca the similar tables l9 for tin wwr rolls it. ll'.respH-t wly. at; station h ;ee Figs. 3 and The ta.=le lengths i i. H andand also the cha nguidrs ll", 3, air llpiilrlfllllfifi in the d ings asbeing of surh proportions that in practice. hard w od may he. used forthe manufactur thereof, but if preferred, said table r-l he mole of asuitable l it 'li, n and supporting do tai s be m dified or rearrangedarcmdingiy.

- v The table 25%? is made wider than the. belt F, to prov de a surfaceas at "il :flnl il. Figs 5. Y and in. wait: eupon to support thebrushbeds. as l of those plant-treating st LS which have the brusheslocated above said beds; this arrang ment is shown as regards the setsat stations 5. S and S The proper elevation of the bruslrhed, as I),Fig. 19, for permitting the belt l to run freely thereunder, may beobtained in various ways, as for instance, by means of blocks, as 52,53, Figs. 7 and 19, fixed in place under each end of the bed D, and heldby suitable screws; or, the bruslrbed may be so formed as to havethereon a depending block-portion of proper size, as will be obvious bya comparison of the drawings as herein described.

My present improvements are especially intended and arranged fortreating the fiber of banana stalks or petioles and other similarvegetable products, in accordance with a process which involves aprogressive division of the material into strands or narrow zones andthe reduction or separation of the gummy r adhesive parts of thematerial by a brushing or analogous operation which is applied in thefirst instance to the strands or separated zones at a point adjacent tothe line where the separation is proceeding. Also the process oftreatment, when fully carried out, involves a supplemental brushing orclearing operation applied to the fibers while these are progressivelycarried along between and hnder the control of sepa rating blades andbrushing, or like fiber treating appliance wherel'iy the fibers Wlll besubjected to a secondary cleaning opera tiou. A further feature relatesto the treatment in the manner above indicated of the fiber while guidedalong in the separated strands or zones by appliances operating first onone side of a series qf such strands and then by similar or analogousappliances arranged for operation on the opposite side of such a seriesof strands. in this manner the fibers, especially surh long andrelatively strong fi er. "w an rontaincd in the banana plant. air 5 i l}leaned of Clli'll udhesive gill!" cl lu l'ifinb hjl uol arsals, antiplant-1 reatlng set that are individually of diti'erel'ii ei .raclel"COIHlJlILGLl with a convever arranged for courting with one saidmechanisms and also with a belt-form traveling table o1 bed Wliirh iscooperative with a second aid me hanism but not with the first one, Thisyslrns. or organization, is partirulurly indicatee'l in Fig. 3 and also,as to remain parts thereof, in Fig. l. The belt or table member, l, isshown extendlug under a guider ll 54, on shaft 55, and thenceupwardlyand rearwardly to and over the wheel 37 on shaft and then forwardly(toward the right-hand) toward the deliveryend of the machine. Theconveyorchains C, C, however, (see Fig. 3) after passing over thesupport ng wheels 56 on said shaft 55, run under wheels 57 and 58, onhaft; 5.), and over chain grooves in wheel 3T so that from the lowerwheels 57 and 58 to said upper wheel 37 there is a consider.- ablelength of conveyor which is not directly cooperative with the belt-bed,but which 00- aets with a mechanism arranged for initially andpreliminarily treating the plants, and, eonsistin in the presentinstance, of three two-men] er sets and three supplementalpresser-rolls; these may, however, be of a different number, and, ifdesired, one or more of the press-enrolls may be omitted.

The said mechanism for the initial and partial treatment, (preliminaryto a second, and usually a different and more thorough treatment), isshown in Fi 3 arranged in an inclined position, but this inclination orlocation is a matter of convenience and serves to economize space, andwhile it is deemed to be desirable, it is not an essential feature. Saidmechanism for initial treatment is indicated as a whole by 5, while thethree successive two-member sets which, in the present instance, arecomprised in the mechanism are designated by T ff respectively. For morefully providing for the effective initial treati'nent of a variety ofleaves or plant stems, and especially those of a thick and pulpycharacter, I have shown the sets T T and T each arranged for 'adifferent kind of action upon the material.

as R", of which one preferred kind is more fully shown in Figs. 13, ll,hereinafter more fully described.

The second said set, at T is shown Coll!- prising an upper bed orguideenember D

